The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-05, Page 60HT
F
IS
28A GSS/Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1986
HYdralohigeS
1850 - Homes and village streets lit by kerosene lamps
Before 1900 - Carbon filament lights used along the streets
May 12,1887 - Goderich council passes first motion to approve
town's first electric system
July 23,1889 - Bylaw passed to put the direction of the Electric
Light and Water Committee (there were 3 councillors
at the time)
July, 1891- Goderich had 33 streetlights, 40 arc lights in the store
and was considered to be well lit. a
19004913 - Electricity generated by coal and steam
1914E - Commission agreed to continue streetlights from
6:30 p.m. to '1 a.m.
1913 - Hydro becomes generated by electric motors. The
town's first hydro bill came to $603.96
1916 - Problem surfaced with people breaking streetlights
$10 reward was offered for information leading to
their arrest
1918 - Town was troubled by power shortages due to war-
time restrictions. Once restrictions were lifted, new
lights were installed
1923 - Rates for commercial lighting were V/kwh (for
first 50 hours of use)
1928 - A Hydro store was rented for $40/month
1930 - Name of utility commission changed from Goderich
Light and Water Commission to the Public Utilities
Commission
1932 - Due to depression years many subscribers fell behind
with their bills and had service cut off
1933 - Hydro store at the corner of the Square and Colborne
St. was leased for 5 years at $500/year
1937 - Major project of installing 16 twin -light and 8 single -
light standards
1939 - Special safety measures were taken due to wartime
and the civilian militia were ordered to guard all
power stations
1950 - Approval was given for construction of a new sub-
stationThat same year the commission moved to its
present location on West Street
1962 - Tender was accepted for an addition to the P.U.C.
Building
Late 1960's - Brought numerous changes to the utility including a
and new 5000 kw substation in the industrial park with
Early 1970's the work being done by P.U.C. personnel and opened in
Dec. 2, 1969
1972 - P.U.C. transferred their billing operation to a large
data processing centre at London P.U.C. for local
billing.
1979 -1986 - Between these years 2 bungalow substations were
built here in Goderich, one at Eldon & Suncoast,
the other on Britannia Rd. (between Regent &
Cambridge) .
Feb. 1986 - Goderich P.U.C. installed their own computer system
to take care of the billing locally.
1986 - In progress - currently working on a $3.5 water
expansion.
The Public Utilities Commission would like to offer a Special
Congratulations to Champion and its employees on this landmark
occasion. It has been our pleasure to be a part of your business
over the many years and look forward to many more.
GODERICH
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
est 'fit. Goderich �e 524-7371
Top photo was taken in 1939. Second photo is of the Power
Maintainer in 1929 on East Street.
Champion was again
part of war effort
Continued from Page 27
hydraulic controls, the forerunner of
today's grader. The Model I-30, with
hydraulic controls was one of the
first to be accepted in the industry.
The first one produced was shipped
to Churchill, Ontario.
Again in the .1940s, as was the case
in 1914, Canadians became an
integral part of the war effort. World
War II put more demands on
industry and people and Dominion
Roads ceased making graders in
1941 to assist with the war effort.
The economy had suffered through
the Depression and was showing
signs of picking up before war was
declared. It was during the war that
Dominion Roads purchased a
building on Victoria Street to a
its own castings.
In 1943, the company also
purchased the former Artcraft
Building on Maitland Road for
$5,009. Originally built for $50,000 it
cost the company an additional
$10,000 to refurbish the structure. It
was considered a good buy at the
time.,
The company set up its
manufacturing concern in the
facility and over the years the
original building was almost
swallowed up by the numerous
additions.
After the company had been
operating for two years on Maitland
Road, it was purchased by Air Vice
Marshall J.A. Sully in May of 1945.
Taking the Plunge
In 1976 Charlie and Linda Bruinsma took the plunge
and started their own Pool and Spa business.
After being in the heavy construction business from
1968 to 1976 they felt it would be a change of pace.
Since that time they have created a year round
family business selling and installing pools, whirlpools
and spas all through their native Huron County.
Sales, installation, repairs & accessories are all
specialties for...
OrIZo
pools 8
spas
R.R. 2 Goderich
524-9804